Townsville [tounz-vil] is a ceety on the north-eastren coast o Australie, in the state o Queensland. Adjacent tae the central section o the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region o Queensland.[2] Townsville is Australie's lairgest urban centre north o the Sunshine Coast, wi a 2006 census population o 143,328,[3] an a 2009–2010 estimatit population o 185,768.[1] Considered the unoffeecial caipital o North Queensland, Townsville hosts a significant nummer o govrenmental, commonty an major business admeenistrative offices for the northren hauf o the state.[4]